The change could mean that northern lights will disappear from Britain – but some researchers believe it could also affect the climate.

The last time this happened was the Maunder Minimum of the 17th century when sun spot activity almost stopped altogether for a period of 50 years.

During that time, there was a ‘little ice age’ – when the Thames froze over, although researchers believe that global warming will stop this happening again.

Professor Mike Lockwood from the University of Reading, said: ‘If the decline in sunspots continues at this rate, and data from the past suggests that it will, we could see these changes occurring as early as the next few decades.’

The issue is controversial, but researcher Valentina Zharkova of the University of Northumbria said in 2015 that the sunspot decline might affect weather, although not to the extent of a ‘proper’ ice age.

She claims it will last three solar cycles – around 30 years, and will reduce temperatures.

Zharkova said, ‘It will be cold, but it will not be this ice age when everything is freezing like in the Hollywood films.’